Jerry Roberts
By Jerry Roberts
Supervisor Das Williams says he hasn’t made a final decision on whether to seek Hannah Beth Jackson’s termed-out state Senate seat in 2020 – but will stay put if Assemblymember Monique Limon decides to run.
“It depends on who else is running,” Williams told Newsmakers at the Women’s Political Committee gala dinner last Friday night. “I won’t run if Monique does. I’ve encouraged Monique to do it.”
With Jackson midway through her second and final four-year term, there already is considerable speculation amid political junkies, hacks and flacks about the 19th state senate district seat, which includes Santa Barbara and much of Ventura counties.
It seems unlikely that Williams and Limon, two local Democratic Party stalwarts, would oppose each other; either one, however, would become an overwhelming favorite the day they announced.
Monique’s options. For Limon, the decision of whether to remain in the Assembly, where she produced a strong performance in her first term, and to which she is all but certain to be re-elected in November, carries several calculations.
Under California’s term limits law, state legislators are limited to a total of 12 years in office – six two-year Assembly terms, three four-year senate terms, or a combination thereof. If she is re-elected, she would be eligible for eight more years in office: the idea of having to run only two campaigns for four-year senate terms might easily prove more attractive than having to run four more times for two-year Assembly terms.
However, she has done well in her first two years, winning a post in the hierarchical leadership of the dominant Democratic majority, as well as becoming chair of the influential Banking and Finance Committee and a sub-committee chair on the powerful Budget Committee. In addition, there often are prickly rivalries that develop between the two houses over legislation and budget issues.
“At the moment, I haven’t made the decision,” Limon said when Newsmakers reached her as she was campaigning in Ventura on Sunday. “I’m very focused right now on my re-election and I’m taking nothing for granted.”
“I want to make sure that the decision is based on where I feel I can be the most effective,” she added. “I’ve done well (in the Assembly) in my first term.”
Monique acknowledged that she and Das have discussed the matter, and confirmed his comments.
“Das and I have a solid political relationship,” she said. “He did say if I decided to run, he would not run for the seat.”
Tale of two races. Should Limon run for Senate, the race to fill her Assembly seat would become the big, wide-open local campaign,
Among other names that figure in insider conversations about the two legislative seats (none of whom we’ve talked to about this matter) are: Luz Reyes Martin and Susan Epstein of the Goleta School Board member; SB school board member Laura Capps and former Mayor Helene Schneider; Ventura City Council member Erik Nasarenko and Matt LaVere, that city’s deputy mayor.
Only 743 days until the 2020 election!
Jerry Roberts is a longtime journalist who shares his reports on newsmakerswithjr.com
Williams knows Sacramento is hopeless. Even a political animal like him is willing to take a pass. He is doing well enough locally. Representing Montecito and making new connections has to be a very good thing right now. He is talented; just needs a new direction. I suspect he is tapped out on “progressive” politics.
professional politicians are scum. they don’t have any experience signing the front of checks only the back.
Williams is already on the gravy train and can bide his time. Carbjal and his deep pockets will decide who runs.
Das works his tail off for everyone…not just special interest groups and cronies like others do. He will do quite well working as he has for us “common” folks. He is like Bernie Sanders, but with a nice tan.
Das Williams or Susan Epstein, both good.
Anyone but Limon – failed on the local school board and only carries water for the government employee unions. This is what you call “strong performance”?
I only run from office.
So tired of career politicians who work solely for the “Party”. Please consider dumping your party registration and becoming an Non-Party / Independent voter. The parties are the problem people. The sooner we remove their power by removing their members the sooner we can move past this era of tribal inclusion.